Monday, May 31, 2010

I had a client ask for a larger loon painting after viewing my little alphabet. This is the result. I hope he likes it. I'm pretty happy with it. I chose the name"Vespers" after looking up synonyms for dusk. It has a nice ecclesiastical ring. I find the haunting sound of the loon very spiritual.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

I love the little caravan makeover I noted on my site. Originally, I was going to go whole hog and go ultra bohemian but the little camper is in pretty good shape for a 33 year-old piece so I am pulling back some and going more conventional. I do have to CAMP in it and Bruce might be overwhelmed by the red/orange/purple scheme I had originally intended.

I have a terrible tendency not to be able to pass up decorator fabric when I find it at yard sales/thrift stores. I have yards of this fabric so I think I can make curtains and recover all the cushions.

I am thinking of painting the outside. It's just too mundane the way it is. Caroline sent me a link to the Cowgirl Caravan, you have to check out all the beautiful caravans!!: http://www.sistersonthefly.com

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Well, what a ride that was. It just started as an idea from a request from my local library (who are very dear to me) to make some art for the walls during a convening of librarians. It tied in to our "Wings over the Rockies" event. I have received a lot of good feedback from the little show. I was invoking Robert Burridge's advice to work in a series. I am pleased with the results and will try to tackle another series in the not to far future. Right now, I have a swell of ideas for figure studies and deadlines, deadlines, deadlines!!

Minutes later: I just got back from walking the dog. A group of FOUR bald eagles flew directly over me making a perfect circle and singing their eagle song. What a blessing!

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

It took some searching to come up with Z but I happened to notice the latin name for one of my favorite birds. I love their soft, lonely sound.

I would actually like to learn Latin. That used to be the choice at our High School, Latin or French. I took french because I thought it sounded so wonderful. But Latin is very uselful especially if you are studying sciences. I had an art major in university but I nearly had a science minor (biology and botany). E Pluribus Unum, Caveat Emptor and, of course, exit!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

This is one of the few pictures of my dog smiling. She hates being photographed and usually looks like I have just humiliated her. She is a shar-pei/ lab cross, very strong-headed (least obedient), sweet-tempered, thoroughly elegant dog. She is eleven now, and slowing down, beginning to lose her eyesight and hearing.

I am looking for a new dog, not to replace her, but I need something sharp to alert me of things when I am walking through bear country. I am holding out for a working breed mix, who likes cats, people and other dogs and will be easy to train. I worked with Kirra A LOT and much as I love her, she was very hard to train. "Come" was not in her vocabulary but lots of other words are, like "squirrel", "truck- ride" and" peanut butter".

Friday, May 21, 2010

I thought I was rather clever with this one. I ripped up an aerial map of the valley, flew some crows over it (as the crow flies) and gave them a co-ordinate (you are here). Now they can fly in and join us for Valley Appreciation Days.

I live at the tip of that lower blue lake. Hey Jennifer, do you miss us?

"The mind stand in the way of the eye." Arthur Stern. Check out art quotes at the Painters Key.

I found this great 1962 paper doll book at the community garage sale. The set is only slightly worn and complete! I love the fashions.I especially like this yellow one, just love the gloves and fur jacket.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

I searched the house for my jacket (in the house that eats things). I can't find it anywhere. I have a sinking feeling that in a moment of weakness, I let it slip away. Aaaargh! I can only hope that I stashed it in a spot I haven't thought of yet and that the house will cough it up like a furball.

I should be painting, but I spent yesterday attending the community garage sale, picking up trash for the community clean-up and trying to buy a small, older, camper trailer from a guy named Conrad. If anyone has any great ideas for decorating a trailer, I would like to see them. I am thinking along the lines of RAlph Lauren's or Miranda Lambert's airstream

Saturday, May 15, 2010

These are some beads that I made when my daughter was visiting. I cut long triangular strips of tyvek (painted in acrylic on both sides) rolled them around a wooden skewer and melted them with a heat gun. Honestly, how do people come up with these ideas? But I think they are cool and hope to do something with them.

Somewhere in the house I have a fringed leather jacket. I bought it years ago and quite like it but didn't have the nerve to wear it much. I have decided that Stacey and Clinton can go to hell and I'm going to dig out that jacket.

Friday, May 14, 2010

I like how the stamped background of this one gives it a sort of macho, pseudo-military air. The motif of the triple point cross was an emblem my Dad taught me to draw using a 6 dot grid when I was very young. He jokingly called it the Cravens coat of arms (I checked, it isn't) but I still find it intriguing. I never discovered where he learned to make it.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

"Artists don't get down to work until the pain of working is exceeded by the paint of not working." Stephen DeStaebler (There is a great article on this at: http://k-cartwright.blogspot.com/)

I seem to have been doing everything but painting. Todays list: sew a blouse, apply for next year's shows at nearby galleries, deliver paintings for viewing at a resort, negotiate to be carried in a nearby gallery. It is not the painting that eats up the time and the miles, it's the marketing! Wish me luck.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

I only went on one Wings hike this year and it was with a local man, Grant Howse. Grant is metis and well versed in native lore and local history. He took us along the east side of Columbia Lake which is, thankfully, crown land and reserved as animal habitat. I hope it always remains so. It was a beautiful morning and a very interesting hike. Grant's grandfather was the Howse that Howse pass is named for.

Friday, May 7, 2010

We have a fat robin that shows up every year and does constant battle with himself in the reflection in the basement window. For weeks, the tap, tap, tap of his beak can be heard through out the house. There is a break though, when Jinx decides to curl up on the window sill and dream about grabbing this fat fellow.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

I love this one. Quail are so darned cute. I made the background pattern using a candle that had a design stamped into it. I layed a coat of paint on the candle then rolled it across my tissue paper, first in one color, then another. I like the effect.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

This is a painting by my friend Karen Arrowsmith, a terrific watercolorist. Karen and her husband are taking off on a cross Canada trip this summer. I am so envious! Be sure to keep an eye on her blog as she is determined to paint her way across the country.

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About Me

I am an acrylic painter exploring color and texture. I like horses, Canadian wildlife, old trucks, bold women, kind men, tequila and cashews. Most paintings are for sale. Contact me for prices and shipping if you are interested in purchasing a painting. And thanks for viewing my blog!